Super Mario 64

How do you go up the endless flight of stairs?

Games Guru: I’ll just tell you about the stairs, a really annoying level. There are two ways.
1) You need 80 power stars or the stairs really will be endless.
2) You can have Mario do a backward long jump (but that only works in the N64 and Virtual Console versions).

Where are the castle’s 30 Secret Stars? I only need one more, and I need to know where all of them are, so I can figure out which one I missed.

Games Guru: That’s would take a lot more space than we have here. But I’ll tell you how to find the last three stars. Find the Mushroom People and talk to them. They’ll give you stars. There’s one near the entrance to the Hazy Maze Course; one on the floor near the painting leading to Tall, Tall Mountain; and one on floor three just to the right of the big clock.

How do you get past Big Boo’s balcony?

Games Guru: First, don’t fall off the balcony, or you have to start the level again. Get behind Big Boo and give him a good punch three times. When the star leaves him, your goal is to jump up and grab it. See the rooftop that’s protruding on your right? You have to perform a running jump to get on it. Once you do, press and hold the Z button and crawl across the roof. You’ll find an exclamation mark block with the star on it. Grab that sucker and enjoy the rest of one of the great Mario games.

How do you get Waluigi?

Games Guru: Most people, like me, think that Waluigi isn’t in the game. In fact, it’s probably a big, fat hoax. There are some very difficult hoops you have to run through to get Waluigi, and even if you do these tasks, you probably won’t get him. But I’m willing to be convinced. Readers, have you ever unlocked Waluigi in the DS version of Super Mario 64? If so, tell us how you did it.

What do I do when I get the eel out of the hole? When I did it the hole was closed.

Games Guru: If you swim in front of the eel, crossing the hole from a few feet away, the eel will get mad and swim out. He is not particularly mean; you swim past the hole a few times and he will come out without going after you, then you swim in. Also, FYI, he has a star on his tail. If you can touch it, you get an easy star.

Where does the key go after you beat Bowser the first time?

Games Guru: Head down the stairs and into the lower level, and you should see a Boo ghost. (Did you know that Boos are known as Teresa ghosts in Japan? I asked Shigeru Miyamoto about that, and he told me that the Japanese word “Teresu” means “shy.”) Follow that Boo! It will lead you into an outdoor courtyard where you can find the hidden entrance to the next big world.

Where is the red box that unlocks the caps?

Games Guru: For the winged cap, you head to the entry hall of the castle and stare into the mural of the sky on the ceiling. If you have 12 stars or more, you will be transported into that sky. There you will find the box which activates the winged cap. There are other switches for the metal and invisibility caps.

All my friends say there is a Rainbow Bowser. If there is one, please tell me where he is.

Games Guru: I think they are referring to the Bowser Mario fights in the final battle of the game.

How do you beat the third and final Bowser? I tried over 100 times! Do you have an easier way than the regular way to beat him?

Games Guru: You always beat Bowser the same way in this game: You grab his tail, swing him around and toss him at the bombs along the edge of the platform. The problem is that this time he can send shockwaves (jump them), rain fire (dodge it and pick up the coins for renewed health), and break off parts of the platform (don’t fall off). That’s the bad news. The good news is there’s a 1UP hidden behind the pillar on the last platform before you enter the pipe and fight Bowser—and there will be a new 1UP in that same spot every time Bowser beats you and you start again on that very platform. In short, you’ll never run out of Marios for this final battle!

How can you get to Snowman’s Land?

Games Guru: Once you beat Bowser in his Fire in the Sea arena, you will find a key to open the second floor of the castle. You’ll find the portal to Snowman’s Land on the second floor.

In Tall Tall Mountain, how can I get into the monkey cage?

Games Guru: Zoinks! You pretty much need to get to the top of the mountain to get in the cage. Climb the mountain, jump the gaps, scale the platforms. If you’ve been to the top of the mountain before, this should all be review. The monkey awaits you for a race at the top.

How can I get the eight red coins in Cool Cool Mountain?

Games Guru: This quest can only be done by Yoshi. Try swallowing some fire and melting some ice…who knows what opening you may find?

How do you beat Mr. I in Big Boo’s Haunt, and how do you beat the Quest Mario’s Super Wall Kick in Cool Cool Mountain?

Games Guru: To beat Mr. I, run around him very quickly. He will get dizzy and go away. As for beating Super Wall Kick, this is a challenge. You need to ride the gondola up to a platform where you will find a Bob-omb Buddy who will open the cannon at the base of the mountain. Once the cannon is open, ride the gondola back down and hop in the cannon. When you aim, you will see a lone tree beside a mountain. Fire yourself at the distant tree for a safe landing. You will find a gap in the face of the mountain that can only be climbed using the wall kick. Near the top of that gap, you will find the star you seek.

Where do you find all the castle’s secret stars?

Games Guru: Since 30 stars are hidden in Princess Peach’s castle, I’ll just tell you about two of the coolest:

Have you found Princess Peach’s secret slide in the main hall? If so, you probably know you get a star for completing the slide—it’s waiting for you in the box at the base. You can receive a second star for completing the slide in 21 seconds.

In the mirror room where you find the Wario painting, you can walk through the mirror if you go as Luigi and turn yourself invisible. You will find a star behind the mirror.

How do you find the red switch?

Games Guru: There is a red switch in the level where Mario gets his flying cap. If you have 10 stars, go to the entryway of the castle, look into the mural of a sky on the ceiling and hit your X button. Once you are in, fly to the top of the tower and you’ll find a red switch.

How do you get to Big Boo’s balcony?

Games Guru: O.K., I’m assuming we’re talking about Super Mario 64 and that you’ve defeated Big Boo and now wish to claim your star. No problem. If we’re on the same page, the platform in the middle of the room will turn into a staircase the moment you beat Big Boo. Those stairs will take you right to your star.

O all-knowing Games Guru, how do you get Luigi?

Games Guru: You will need to complete the Big Boo Challenge in Big Boo’s Haunt. Once you have eight stars, you can enter the Haunt, then earn one star in the Haunt to reveal stairs leading to a painting of Luigi. Enter the painting, compete the challenge, and Luigi is yours.